Dwilight University/Theology/On the Theology of Dwilight
Contents
Introduction
I have submitted this large essay to use as a tool for the Theology Department. It has take a week to research all of the religions listed. Enjoy.
Sanguis Astroism
Status
Active
Origin
The religion of Sanguis Astroism began in the Theocracy of Morek when a group of immigrants to Dwilight had shared visions of the three “blood stars” – the Maddening, the Austere, and the Auspicious – which ordered them to cross the seas. The three stars later became the symbols of this large, prospering religion.
Beliefs
The followers of Sanguis Astroism believe in the three blood stars. According to the scriptures, each star stands for a certain principle of living. The Maddening star is closely linked with raw energy and reaction, whereas the Auspicious star is linked to focused energy and action or proaction. The Austere star is the balance between these two conflicting stars. In summary, the Maddening star is the body, the Auspicious is the mind, and the Austere is the spirit.
Structure
Founder: Prophet Elder: Cardinal, Archbishop, Inquisitor, Bishop Full: Deacon, Special Envoy, Guardian of the Temple, Commander of the Temple, Knight of the Temple, Knight of the Faith Neophyte: Novice, Aspirant
Estianism
Status
Active
Origin
The origins of Estianism are shady, but it is known to have originated in the vast Cagilan Empire of Atamara. A new, reformed version of this religion, known as the Reformed Church of Estianism, is popular in the Republic of Madina.
Beliefs
Estianism is a monotheistic centered on a goddess named Estiana, a woman dressed in green clothes with long, brown hair, tanned skin, and green eyes. She is the caretaker of Nature and the bringer of life and death. There are also seven basic laws of the religion. All living creatures deserve the same respect and love because they are all important to the circle of life. One cannot choose love, love must choose you, and it is utterly pointless to argue with the bond between two lovers, accept the love as a blessing from Estiana. The goal in life is simple; strive for balance in the world. Live harmoniously with the nature around you. Destroy unnatural beings, such as monsters and undead, they seek to destroy balance. Life is a cycle and death is a stop in the cycle, life is not lost, rebirth shall occur. After one reaches enlightenment and is deemed worthy by the goddess, Estiana, you will be allowed to leave the endless cycle and enter the Holy Garden as a reward. There is no hell, the cycle continues until you are deemed worthy.
Structure
Founder: Guru Full: Monk, Sister, Brother Neophyte: Follower
Holos
Status
Active
Origin
Holos is said to have began as a vision given to Galeo Sciurus of Myern. A voice said to him four basic principles of life and offered a vision of a square with a circle and crossing lines inside. The principles became the ideals of the religion and the square became the symbol of the religion. This religion is popular in the realm of Myern.
Beliefs
According to Galeo's vision, there are four core principles to life. First, the perfect “whole” is the source of true Light and all other rewards. Second, the world around us is simply a shadow cast by things that are between us humans and the Light. Third, the immortal race of the perfect human are trapped on this world and forbidden from rejoining the “whole”. Last, for humans to join the “whole, they must gain true knowledge.
Structure
Nothing is known of the structure of Holos.
Order of St. Iestyn
Status
Active
Origin
Little is known of the Order of St. Iestyn. Followers believe that it was founded on the teachings of a man named Iestyn the Wise. It is a fairly new religion and the dating system used by the followers is complex. It is common in the wild lands of the south-western stretches of Dwilight.
Beliefs
According to the preaching of Saint Iestyn, there are four given Heavenly Virtues: Fortitude, Prudence, Justice, and Temperance. St. Iestyn believed that the key to living a good life, in the eyes of their god, is to be mindful of one’s choices and how they affect people around you. “However, it is only through living virtuously that one becomes a virtuous person. Study is therefore essential, but not sufficient,” said St. Iestyn, in one of his more important quotes.
Structure
Nothing is known of the structure of the Order of St. Iestyn.
Triunism
Status
Active
Origin
Triunism is currently the smallest organized belief system. No records are held of the origins or the basic scriptures. According to all followers, the churches are centered in the regions of Gretchew, Chesland, and Chesney.
Beliefs
Nothing is known of the beliefs of Triunism.
Structure
Nothing is known of the structure of Triunism.
Verdis Elementum
Status
Active
Origin
The religion of Verdis Elementum was found by Sir Atwin Dernhem of Caerwyn while he was exploring the distant parts of Dwilight. During his journey he came upon several tomes and stones containing scriptures, all written in the olden languages of Dwilight. These tomes contained the basic principles of Verdis Elementum.
Beliefs
The followers of Verdis Elementum believe in five elemental domains and their respective gods. The five elemental domains are Spirit, Fire, Wind, Water, and Earth. Within the Spirit domain lives Elyon the Life-Giver. Elyon represents the spiritual life, more accurately, our souls. In the Fire domain reside the two twins of flames, Revartos, God of Red Flame and Levartos, God of Blue Flame. The two brothers represent all the fire in the world. In the domain of Wind live Zephyr, God of the West Wind; Boreas, God of the North Wind; Eulus, God of the East Wind; Notus, God of the South Wind; Aeolus, God of Storms. Zephyr is the kindest of the four wind brothers and he is the bringer of spring and growth. Boreas is the cold-hearted owner of the cold northern winds. Eulus is bringer of fate and fortune, sailors would pray to him for fair voyage. Notus is the harbinger of warm Southern winds. He is angry, yet strong and steadfast. Aeolus is the bringer of storms and the most temperamental of gods. No gods live in the Water domain, yet there are songs that are capable of bringing peace and a calming presence. Within the Earth domain resides the great Radenem, God of Courage, and bringer of courage to all believers.
Structure
Nothing is known of the structure of Verdis Elementum.
The Way of the Dragons
Status
Active
Origin
The Way of the Dragons began when Lady Katayanna of D'Hara entered Dragon's Roost and saw the Great Dragon Fafnir. Since their encounter, the religion has grown in D'Hara and eventually spread to other realms of Dwilight. As the faith began to spread, a new form of this religion began in Sallowsite Cape, where they worship the dragon Sallow.
Beliefs
The religion states that before the worlds existed there was complete and utter chaos. From this chaos four eggs were formed. From these four large eggs hatched four Great Dragons: Nailyon was the great mother and the creator of water. Grael was the great father and creator of earth. Sairys was creator of air, and Fafnir was of fire. Together they created the world and with all their powers, they created humans. Each of these four now has a home on a continent of the world. Recently a fifth has been discovered, named Raviel. In the reformed version, regional beliefs became closely incorporated into the main religion. In the region of Sallowsite Cape, followers preach to a great dragon named Sallow, who is believed to be a reincarnation of the long dead Prince Sallow, whom the region of Sallowtown is named after.
Structure
Founder: Dragon Prophet Elder: High Priestess, High Priest, the High Council Full: Guardians, Second Degree, First Degree, Follower Neophyte: Novice, Aspirant
Magna Aenilia Ecclesia
Status
Lost
Origin
This large religion originated in the Far East continent and a small offshoot was created in Dwilight only to prevent the destruction of the doomed realm of Verus Luria.
Beliefs
In the church of Magna Aenilia Ecclesia, they believe in mystical beings called Aenil which surround us and guide and protect us. The Aenil are infinite in numbers and are influenced by our own actions. The Aenil live in a parallel world to ours, thus we cannot touch them. All Aenil are male and are similar to us humans in appearance; however all of their characteristics are said to be superior to ours. There are said to be both good and bad Aenil that work together to protect us or destroy us. Aenil have the ability to influence us, thus there are good and bad humans as well.
Structure
Nothing is known of the structure of the Dwilight offshoot of Magna Aenilia Ecclesia.
Nomudou
Status
Lost
Origin
The religion of Nomudou was founded after a group of noblemen experienced strange visions of spirits after drinking a very strong alcohol. The noblemen decided to go to see the Wizard of Palm Sea to discover what these visions are. The religion is now completely destroyed.
Beliefs
According to the priests of Nomudou, there were eight beliefs to follow to become a righteous man. First, Enjoy life to the fullest. Second, a full life does not need to be balanced, although balance can bring fulfillment. Third, Nomudou believes in self-confidence and listening to wise counsel. Fourth, the spirits are wise, a power beyond age and earthly bonds. Fifth, the spirits are guides. They can take you anywhere. Sixth, war is a necessary evil, but do not go searching for it. Seventh, there is good and evil in the world, and they both strive for satisfaction. Eighth, self-control can be abandoned and regained, to achieve fullness.
Structure
Founder: First on the Path Elder: High Tender, Host Full: Sever, Sentinel, Patron Neophyte: Follower
Order of the Seven
Status
Lost
Origin
The roots of the Order of the Seven originate in the region of Rye when an old hermit entered the large mansion of the Lord of Rye, Borric of Tyr-Sog. The hermit tossed an old book at Lord Borric and the book was said to contain the belief of seven great, powerful gods. The religion fell with the destruction of Springdale.
Beliefs
According to the Book of the Seven, there are seven gods who rule the world: Gussalen, the Ice Lady, who rules over Sea, Winter, and Death; Brunhild, the Blacksmith, who rules over War, Trade, City-life, and Fire; Hadrian, the Messenger, who rules over Travel, Weather, and Air; Althalos, the Old Rock, who rules over Mountains, Farmers, and Earth; Zantorian, the Calm, who rules over Wilds, Forests, Animals; Eleanor, the Balance, who rules over Judgment; and Rose, the Thief, who rules over Trickery, Humor, and Espionage.
Structure
Founder: High Brehon Elder: High Brehon and Brehons High Full: The Bear, The Serpent, The Wolf, The Squirrel, The Horse, The Stork, The Cat Full: Defender of the Book, Defender of the Temple, Defender of the Gate, Squire of the Seven Neophytes: Guided, Traveler
Torenism
Status
Lost
Origin
The religion of Torenism is said to have existed for centuries before the colonization of Dwilight but the first organized records say that it was organized by “The Messiah”, Fisc Arylon of Everguard. It was at this time that priests first began to construct churches to the god known as Tor.
Beliefs
Followers of Torenism believe in the one god named Tor. It is said that in the beginning there was only Tor, and then out of the nothingness he created the Earth and all who live on it. Tor created the humans so that the powerful shall prosper and the weak should wither. Tor, however, did not meddle in the affairs of humans. The first prophet of Tor was Phear Fantom, who communicated with Tor in visions and dreams. More recently, ex-ruler of the realm of Everguard, Fisc Arylon, began to preach the ways and became known as the Messiah.
Structure
Founder: Messiah of Tor Elder: Pontifex Primus, Propheticate Primus, Interpretus Primus, Thanaton Primus Full: Thanaton, Minister of Faith Neophyte: Torenist Faithful
The Church of Elyon
Status
Lost
Origin
The religion of Elyon was created after the supposed fall of Verdis Elementum in Caerwyn. The religion began when Founder Manfred Altenhar believed he was visited by an angel name Arriel who gave him knowledge of God. Manfred used this knowledge to write a book containing the scriptures of the Church of Elyon.
Beliefs
The core beliefs of the Church of Elyon go hand-in-hand with those of Verdis Elementum. The four archangels and god, according to their prophet, Manfred Altenhar, are Surt, Archangel of Rebellion; Radanem, Archangel of Courage; Arriel, Archangel of Revelation; and the one “true” god, Elyon. In the eyes of follower, Elyon is the only god of the “gods” of Verdis Elementum, thus all other “gods” where demoted to archangels and angels.
Structure
Founders: Vice Regent Elder: Praefect Full: Elder, Minister Neophyte: Believer
Ordo Concilium
Status
Lost
Origin
The religion of Ordo Concilium is said to have begun in ancient Dwilight in present-day Desert of Silhouettes (which was not a desert in the past, but a lush forest paradise). There stood a massive citadel which was said to have been owned by gods. When the cataclysm struck Dwilight the citadel was destroyed. Recently, D'Haran nobles have reconstructed temples of the religion, but the small religion was sadly doomed to fail.
Beliefs
The religion of Ordo Concilium is centered on two main beliefs, Honor and Respect. The gods of Ordo Concilium watch the Fidelus (Faithful) from above, though some believe that the gods walk among them, only one, Azarus interacts directly with the humans and does the god’s difficult, hands-on jobs. That is supposedly one reason why he is the head of the circle.
Structure
Elder: Wordbearer Full: Ordo Causidici, Inquiro Exsequiae Neophyte: Patricii
